Magic Island

• Magic Island is a man made peninsula and rocky point bordering the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor, located within the Ala Moana Beach Park which stretches over a perimeter of 76-acre.

  

  Photo Credit: Forest and Kim Starr (USGS)

• It was built in 1964 on thirty acres of reclaimed shallow reef.
• It was  formally christened as "Aina Moana,'' or "land from the sea,'' but it is known more popularly as ' Magic Island'  to locals and tourists.

  

  Magic island in rains

  
  

• The original concept was to create a new resort hotel complex here that would cover two additional islands. But the project died soon after the first stage of reclamation was accomplished, so the area was converted into a public park.
• It is a park  with white sand beaches, a protected swimming lagoon, wide grassy areas, picnic tables, trails for cycling and inline skating, a rocky breakwater, and beautiful views of Waikiki and Honolulu. 

  

  magic island in rains 

  
  

• On the east side of the park, one can see Waikiki, Hilton Waikiki Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, backed by famous Diamond Head Mountains standing mightily guarding the island. We can also see the yachts moored into the lagoon, creating a beautiful foreground. 

  

  The east side of Magic Island

  
  

  

  A beautiful sunset at Magic Island.

• On the west side, we can see the John Burns school of medicine, Kewalo basin and Honolulu skyline.
• It is much sought after park for the wedding photographs and 'Barefoot in sand' ceremonies. In fact, the panorama is so stunning at dusk that Magic Island has become the last stop for sunset photos on deluxe Oahu wedding packages.

  

  Wedding shoot at magic island

• Every Friday, the tourists and local gather here in Aloha mood to watch the fireworks hosted by Hilton Hawaiian village resort.
• Every year on Memorial Day, there is a huge Floating Lantern Festival at Magic island  in Honolulu. People make paper lanterns to commemorate loved ones who have passed away, and at sunset they light a candle with each lantern and set them into the ocean. It is a moving experience that is aesthetically and emotionally very beautiful.

  

  Lantern Floating ceremony

• This is also the venue for the annual Honolulu Family Festival, with thrill rides, dozens of food stalls, live entertainment, and games. Each August, it draws tens of thousands with free admission and a complimentary shuttle service. All proceeds from the festival go toward the upkeep and beautification of Ala Moana Beach Park.

  

  Moon rise over Magic Island

  
  

  

  A beautiful evening

• The surrounding waters have been rated among Hawaii's top spots for shore diving, home to spotted eagle rays, surgeonfish, stonefish, checkered cowries, turtles, coral and other sea life. Both snorkelers and scuba-divers use the beach as an easy access point for underwater excursions.

  

  Magic island in rains

• Magic Island is located on the east end of Ala Moana Beach Park at 1201 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96814. The parking is free.

It's been raining since a week in Oahu with as much as 4.5" rain in a single day.
Some beautiful pictures of Magic Island in rains.

Magic Island in rains

Magic Island in rains

Magic Island in rains

Magic Island in rains

Magic Island in rains

Magic Island in rains

Magic Island in rains

Magic Island in rains

Magic Island in rains

 References:

 http://www.city-data.com/articles/Magic-Island-Honolulu-Hawaii-Sandy.html#ixzz3sHUzkJwB

http://www.hawaiiforvisitors.com/oahu/attractions/magic-island.htm.

http://hawaiibeachsafety.com/oahu/magic-island-lagoon

Nitrogenie---------The first franchise store in US opens in Hawaii!

Nitrogenie---------The first franchise store in US opens in Hawaii!

Nitrogenie ice cream ready to chill, thrill  palates in Honolulu, Hawaii..

Ice cream from magic. This is what they claim. And ice cream from magic, is what they deliver. Nitrogenie is redefining the way we look at the humble scoop; single or double. They have unmasked the secret weapon used by chefs around the world to make luscious, smooth, whipped ice cream.

So what is the big secret weapon? Liquid nitrogen. Yes. Nitrogen! (OK so remember the chemistry lab?)
We’ve seen ice cream parlors come and go, all trying to offer something outside-the-box. But Nitrogenie is here to stay!

Australian ice cream chain Nitrogenie uses liquid nitrogen to freeze ice cream so quickly it doesn’t have time to form ice crystals, making for smoother ice cream. The shop rotates out their ice cream flavors every Monday, showcasing eight different flavors from a list of 72.
It also means that there are no  frozen tubs and tubs of ice-cream. Each order is individually made after you choose the flavors, made in front of you while you wait.

Sunset in Hawaii.

Sunset Today!

Today I saw a red and grey sunset and thought, how insignificant I am! Of course, I thought that yesterday too, and day before yesterday too! — at Magic Island Beach Park.

The Kapok Tree.

 The Kapok Tree.

As I used to walk down the Keeaumoku street near my house to do groceries, I was intrigued by these giant trees growing in the compound of the Agricultural Department in Honolulu, King's street location.

I googled it and came to know that these are kapok trees, botanical name Ceiba pentandra.

A giant in the rainforests, the kapok tree can reach up to 200 feet in height, sometimes growing as much as 13 feet per year. Due to its extreme height, the kapok, or ceiba tree, towers over the other rainforest vegetation. The trunk can expand to nine or 10 feet in diameter.

The Buttress Roots

The kapok tree is widely spread around the world and occupies an important niche in the ecosystem of a rainforest. The kapok tree is found throughout the Neotropics, from southern Mexico to the southern Amazon and even to parts of West Africa. Because the unopened fruit won't sink when submerged in water, many believe the fruit of the kapok tree floated its way from Latin America to Africa.

The majestic kapok tree has many uses for humans. Its wood is lightweight and porous; good for making carvings, coffins, and dugout canoes. The silky fibers that disperse the seeds are too small for weaving but make great stuffing for bedding and life preservers. Soaps can be made from the oils in the seeds. Other parts of the giant tree are used as medicines.

A book is written by the author and artist Lynne Cherry titled 'The Great Kapok Tree A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest'. The author and artist Lynne Cherry journeyed deep into the rain forests of Brazil to write and illustrate her gorgeous picture book. The Great Kapok Tree has absolutely gorgeous illustrations and a beautiful message about wildlife preservation.

http://www.amazon.com/The Great Kapok Tree A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest-Amazon/dp/0152026142

The book--The great kapok tree.